While watching the early part of today’s game vs. the Rangers I noticed that Nick Johnson took fastballs for called strikes in his first two AB’s, had a hard time catching up to some mediocre fastballs in the middle of those AB’s and then struck out looking, again on fastballs. In all, Johnson struck out three times on fastballs today.

It got me wondering about the percentage of fastballs that Johnson had seen thus far in the season. Figuring that any hitter sandwiched between Jeter and Teixeira (and Rodriguez) would see a lot more fastballs and noticing both Johnson’s passive approach and slow bat through the team’s first 11 games, I was very curious to see if my hunch was correct.

Courtesy of the “pitch type” info on each player’s page on Fangraphs‘ website, below is a list of all the pitch types Yankee batters have faced (through yesterday’s game):

Of players with at least 40 PA’s, Nick Johnson does seem to see an extremely high percentage of fastballs. He obviously has advanced pitch-recognition abilities in that he’s able to lay off breaking pitches that won’t be in the hitting zone but at what point does a hitter’s ability to lay off pitches begin to work against him? If Johnson’s bat has indeed slowed down just a bit and he’s not willing to swing at fat pitches thrown for strike one, he’s really taking the bat out of his own hands.

Fortunately, Johnson hasn’t cost the team any games. Having said that, his sole responsibility on this ball club is to provide offense as a designated hitter. An AL-leading 14 walks is nice but no one will respect a hitter if pitchers keep on offering fastballs and Johnson doesn’t punish them…

MLB.com had an interesting article about this yesterday: Things are going so well for the Yankees these days that their fans really need to nit pick in finding something to complain about—one example being Johnson’s selectivity at the plate and another being Vasquez’s performances thus far (but cf. “Jon Lester” in reference to Vasquez). But for me there is something a little eerie about this season. Things are going a little too well, like the calm before the…

I think NJ sees FBs because he has a great eye and doesn’t swing at slop that’s not a strike. Harden already BBs a lot of guys, so unless he wants to walk NJ, he has to throw strikes… which for harden means FBs.

Are you worried about Teix? He has walked alot and we know his current BA.
Are you worried about ARod? He has walked alot, and while hitting decently, he certainly hasn’t hit his stride.

Why are we ‘picking on’ NJ? He’s a new guy.
Here’s here instead of the very popular JD or Matsui.

@ OldYanksFan:
I’m picking on Nick Johnson by pointing out that he struck out on fasballs in three separate AB’s yesterday?

All I did was ask a question. I know Johnson has a good eye and I know he won’t swing at breaking/off-speed stuff. The point, however, is that selectivity leads to seeing more fastballs. But what good does seeing more fastballs do if you won’t swing at any of them or — as has been the case with Johnson thus far — your bat is too slow to hit any of them?

I’m not picking on Johnson, I’m asking a question. Moreover, I’m not finding something to nitpick. I’m thrilled the Yanks are 9-3 despite getting nothing from their 2-3-4 hitters. If anything, it’s encouraging that the Yanks can win ballgames without their best hitters doing much damage.

You don’t learn anything if you don’t ask questions and that’s what I’m trying to do.

Is it just me, or, does this data suggest that teams are thinking Swisher can handle fastballs but not the curve?

Bingo. Which, if you watched yesterday’s game, makes it even worse when Swisher struck out on two FB’s in consecutive AB’s. If they know you can’t hit the breaking stuff AND you miss your opportunities with the straight stuff, that’ll eat you up at night.

I’m amazed teams don’t throw more junk at Cano too, given how he loves to swing and doesn’t take too many pitches.